External Respiration
Exchange of gases between air and blood (in lungs)
External respiration is the process of the exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood. During external respiration, oxygen from the air entering the lungs diffuses into the bloodstream while carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, moves from the bloodstream into the lungs to be exhaled out of the body.
The exchange of gases occurs across the respiratory surface of the lungs, which is made up of millions of small sacs called alveoli. The walls of the alveoli are extremely thin, allowing for the diffusion of gases between the air in the lungs and the blood in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli.
Several factors can affect external respiration, including the concentration of gases in the air and blood, the surface area and thickness of the respiratory membrane, and the rate and depth of breathing.
Overall, external respiration is a crucial process for maintaining proper levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, which in turn affects various physiological functions such as cellular metabolism, pH balance, and respiratory and cardiovascular function.
More Answers:
Internal Respiration: The Process of Gas Exchange Between Tissues and Blood.Internal Respiration: Importance in Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Exchange for Optimal Health
External Respiration: The Importance of Gas Exchange for Cellular Respiration